The Highlander Howls, The Vanishing

By M.L. Sackett

On a warm spring day Robert and Lily took a walk to their favorite place. A bench surrounded in flowers. The aroma from the flowers and the sight of his beautiful perfect wife had Robert sighing to himself. The thundering sound of hrse hooves pouring through the trees had him on high alert and letting the clan know they were in trouble.
When the matriarch of the clan Markell came into the clearing in all her glory had Robert reaching for his sword and signaling for help. A huge battle was fought that day and lives were lost from both sides. When Mari Markell knew they would lose the battle she cast a spell that had Robert and Lily hurtling through time.
We call that day The Vanishing. No one knows where the went or if they will even return. Will love conquer a magic that is to strong and evil? Will he find her and bring her home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.L. Sackett
• Release date: Feb 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310473401

Book preview

The Highlander Howls

The Vanishing

M.L. Sackett

Copyright ©2016 by M.L. Sackett

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events described in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

This book is dedicated to my Father in Heaven without thy help and guidance I would have quit long ago. My family who had to listen to my crazy ideas. Thank you for not letting me give up when things got so hard and thank you for all your understanding when I would zone out thinking about a plot. Thank you Grant Sackett for your willingness to help me with research and helping me figure out things I thought were impossible. Thank you Chance Sackett for always being there to help me spell a word at a moment’s notice. Thank you Sammi Sackett for pushing me in the right direction when I got lost.

Thank You

This book is for you Bret

You’ll always be my best friend and for my

Fantastic parents who are celebrating 50 years of marriage.

Way to go Mack and Judy

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Epilogue

Prologue

Fall 1980 Scotland

Robert McGreggor son of laird McGreggor was next in line to become laird of their clan. He was currently sweating enough to wet his shirt. Da do ye have a sometime for a chat?

Laird McGreggor was a stout man with a good six inches towering over his favorite son. Aye by the look of ye I would say ye be heading over to Lilies for a chat with her da.

Da what if she says no and that she doesn’t like me? What if her da shoots me in the arse and tries to run me off? What if I go to ask her and I throw up all over her shoes? Robbie was hyper ventilating. His dad walked him over to his chair behind his big mahogany desk. Lad ye know that she loves ye as much as ye love her and she will say yes to yer proposal and if her da tries to shoot ye I’ll hang him by his drawers for the whole clan to see. I promise ye on that.

Robert chuckled at his da. Can ye come with me to ask her?

Now it was his dad’s turn to chuckle. Aye I can if ye want me too but me thinks it would be in yer better interest that ye go over there and be the man she deserves.

Robbie stood to walk out of his dad’s office. It’ll be alright lad I promise but go change yer shirt. Ye smell like the back end of me favorite horse. He could hear his da laugh all the way to his room.

Mum, I’m taking the twins outside. Lily yelled at her mum by the front door to their cottage. Her mum was at the back of the cottage making the beds. Let’s go ye little cuties. Lily took the hands of her precious little twin sisters. They were identical in every way except their eyes. They were almost three years old and a whirlwind of energy. They have blonde hair that reached the middle of their backs. One has blue eyes and one has green.

Lily loved playing with them. She adored everything about them. Their cute little chubby cheeks, the way they would giggle at everything but especially the way they said her name ‘Lee Lee’. When she would come home they would be so excited to see her. Each one trying to get to her first.

The three of them walked out to the back yard singing and laughing. There Da had made a swing that hung from a huge tree limb just for the two of them. High Lee Lee High Lily laughed out loud at her sisters. They were just too adorable. Robbie stood behind the big oak tree watching the love of his life.

Boy, what ye be doing spying on me lasses?

Robbie jumped at the sound of her dad’s voice. no sir, I’ve come to speak with ye. Lily’s da started to walk away from the big oak tree towards the barn.

Oh, and what is it ye might want to say?

Her da knew what Robbie wanted. He’s been head over heels in love with Lily since they were in the grade school. He didn’t want to make it easy for Robbie either and had great joy in making him sweat. It was working because he was sweating and fidgeting as he followed her da to the barn. He didn’t want to blow this.

Lad I know yer da is our clan’s laird and ye be next in line but tell me something. What do ye have to offer me gal? Lily’s da had a smirk on his face. He loved their laird and would do anything he asked of him but that didn’t mean that he would let the boy off that easy.

Well sir, I’ll love her, I’ll protect her and give her all that is in my power to do. I’ll let her become anything and do everything she’s always wanted. Within reason of course. I will for every day of my entire life be the man she deserves me to be. Robbie held his head up high and waited for her da to answer. He was so nervous that he would say no. Lily was standing behind Robbie as he spoke to her da. She sniffed which made Robbie spin around. Lily, um Lily Robbie stepped forward and took her hands into his. He was a beautiful boy at nineteen and he loved her all his life. Lily sweeting, I was just talking to yer da.

Yes, yes I will marry ye. She jumped into Robbie’s arms and he started to spin her around.

Her da went to get the twins out of the swing. Looks like we got a wedding to plan my sweets.

Chapter 1

Spring 1981 Scotland

Sweetheart what ye be doing? Ye need to rest love. Them we babes ye be carrying need their mum whole and hearty for their arrival next month.

Lily put her hands on her hips with her adorably huge belly sticking out in front. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his wife. She always managed to take his breath away. "Robert McGreggor I’m going stir crazy just sitting around. It’s just not enough besides the day is warm enough to take a walk in the garden.

Please go with me?" She almost sounded like she was begging and maybe she was. She really wanted to go for a walk.

Robert looked at his beautiful wife and melted. He knew when she called him Robert that she means business but it was just so damn cute to see her get her feathers ruffled. Aye love yer wish is my command. Robbie stood and walked over to the closet to get her cloak. It might be warm today but he wasn’t going to take any chances with her and the babes. It was a wonderful bright pink velvet cloak with light pink satin on the inside. Molly had made it for Lily for Christmas and she loved wearing it as often as she could.

As they walked, they talked about their two little bundles of joy that would soon be arriving. The happiness just radiated off of them. They had been spending most of their time in town this last month to be closer to the hospital just in case. Lily didn’t mind where they were as long as they were together. So far of their married life they hadn’t spent one night apart and that was more than fine with the both of them.

Robert I think I hear someone. Robbie helped her sit on the bench.

Aye love, me also. It’s probably Molly coming to check on ye. Lily looked at her husband and smiled, she was always so happy with him and felt so safe.

Aye husband, she said she would drop by. I guess I forgot. Lily giggled she was always forgetting things lately.

They both became stiff when they heard the footfalls of about twenty horse coming at them. They knew it wasn’t their clan’s horses because the sound was different. Their clan raised a Clydesdale stallion mix and the sound they made when they galloped sounded like thunder. Luckily Roberts da had invented a device that helped locate the other clan members. They were installed in all the clan member’s houses and business and each member of the Lairds family had one on their person at all times.

When Robbie was a lad of two he was abducted by the clan Markell. They swiftly grabbed him and were riding away when Robbie’s eldest brother William saw what was going on. He jumped on his own horse and let out a war cry. The clan were quick to follow and the race was on. The Markell’s were not equipped to have a war so they dropped Robbie on the ground. William was close behind. He gathered his crying brother up and jumped back onto his horse when a shot rang out. William was shot in the back. He slumped over protecting his baby brother and rode as fast as he could to get to safety. The clan weren’t too far behind and his dad had seen the whole thing. William died that day being held by his father and little brother. The other clan’s members took off into the woods to bring justice to the Markell’s but couldn’t find them. From that day forward Robbie’s da and a few of the wiser leaders of the clan worked day and night trying to build a device that would save their clan from being harmed.

Robbie pushed the button for the clan to come not sure what exactly was happening. Lily we need to get back in the house love. This feels wrong. He helped her up and they began to walk back.

As one the Markell’s came out of hiding and surrounded them. Robbie put Lily behind him and drew his sword. She reached into his pocket and pressed the button over and over. Why Little Robert McGreggor ye have finally become a man. Tis time for ye to join our clan.

Robbie stood on guard looking at the woman speaking to him. She looked familiar but he just couldn’t place her. She was wild and dirty with ripped clothes and tangled hair. She was quite the mess.

Who are ye and what do ye want with me?" Robbie knew it would take some time before the others would get there so he had to stall for as long as he could.

Ye don’t recognize me? she waved her hand and right before their eyes stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Lily grabbed onto Robbie’s arm and squeezed. She let out a painful breath that let him know that her contractions had started. Why now? She whispered.

Do ye recognize me now? Ye are meant to be mine. I always get what is mine. I will rule this land and no one will stop me.

Molly heard the commotion and started pressing her button also. She drew her broad sword and walked slowly into the garden. Lily was relieved they had some help.

Old woman I can’t believe ye are still alive. I would have thought yer evil ways would have killed ye by now. Robbie held on to Lily.

"Ye are to be me mums and if ye aren’t then ye shall die along with all the others. Cora the witch’s daughter said. The Markell’s laughed along with Cora.

We will see who will be leaving this earth this day ye old witch. Molly stood proud holding her sword up high.

The call to arms came over the alarm systems that was installed in all the clan’s homes and businesses. There was even a siren that was put up in some of the fields to alert them to danger. As if they were one they all came pouring out onto the street with their swords held high. Some jumped on their horses and some jumped on their motorcycles and prepared themselves for battle. They all knew it was bad if Robbie was pushing his button over and over and now Molly was pushing hers too. No one was prepared for the sight they would see when they came into view.

Corrine heard the others coming and knew she had to work fast Cora come here child. Cora was a tiny mouse of a girl with a frightened look upon her dirty face. Cora my sweet, I’m sad to say that I have to be the one to do this but I do.

Cora was crying while her brother held her so she couldn’t escape.

Mama was all she said before her head was severed from her body. Lily fainted as the clan came in through the trees.

Robbie picked up Lily and tried to carry her as gently as he could into the house so she would be out of harms way during the fight that was going on. Molly came with him to protect his back and to look after Lily. He set her on the bed Take care of my family please. Molly nodded and Robbie let out a roar that could be heard from miles away. He ran and got right in the middle of the fight.

It was a great battle that took many lives from both sides. The old witch used her black magic when her few remaining clan members were still standing and whisked them away. Robbie ran back to the house frantically trying to get back to his wife. Lily was in excruciating pain and let out a scream.

He was at her side trying to soothe her It’s almost done love. You’re doing great. And right before their very eyes he vanished. Molly helped Lily deliver her two wee babes.

They were both crying. Ye have a boy and a girl lass.

Molly is Robbie alright I thought I saw him and that he spoke to me and then he was gone. She got everyone all cleaned up and was turning around to hand the babies to their mother when Lily vanished.

March 2005 United States

I’m sitting in a restaurant waiting for my daughter to show up to have lunch with me before I have to catch my flight to Scotland. I look around to take in my surroundings. The place is set up like and old fifty’s diner with red plastic booths and a long counter with stools. The servers have red and white polka dots on their dresses with a ruffled apron. The cooks have white shirts and boat looking hats. I’m waiting in a booth in the corner so I can watch everyone. I’ve always done this. I’ve always been uneasy having my back to people. The waitress brought over my lemonade and set it down on the table for me. She then let me know that my lunch would soon be out. The lemonade was just perfect and as I take another sip my darling daughter walks in. She waves at me and heads over.

Sorry I’m late Mom have you been waiting long? Shelby asks as she bends down to give me a hug.

My flight leaves in four hours and I do have some things to do still well I do have to get things done and since you are so late we’ll have to cut this short. Just as I finish my drink. My two brilliant boys I say as they walk through the door. Thanks mom both boys said at the same time. Anthony and Christian are identical twins right down to the things the like. The only difference between the two was a small scar on Christians left eyebrow. When the boys were just learning to walk. He fell down and hit his head on the tile floor in the kitchen. I see the whole intervention team is here. I sit to face the firing squad.

Kids so nice of you to take the time off of work to have lunch with me and your sister.

Mom both boys said at the same time. what are you doing going on a trip by yourself Anthony says. Ya mom, what are you thinking?

Their father died three years ago and it’s true I don’t even like to go to the store by myself but this was something I needed to do. Their father was a lovely man who doted on me and the kids. I loved him dearly but there always seemed to be something missing. Something I just couldn’t put my finger on.

It was like any other Saturday when he was out riding his motorcycle. That’s when we got the call that he had been hit by a drunk driver and was gone. We all had a hard time moving forward and I didn’t think I would make it. Now I just need a change like something was calling me. It’s a weird feeling I know but it is what it is. I need to go by myself for me, besides what if I meet a nice fella, you two would just get in the way. I said as I waved my hand in the air.

The brothers looked around the restaurant then at each other finally pinning their stare on me. Us getting in the way is kind of the point mom. We don’t want you to get hurt. Anthony said as he folded his arms across his chest. Christian nodded and followed suit.

Kids what could happen? I go soak up some local color as they say. Buy some souvenirs, see some sites and come home where I’ll be at the beckon call of you three. I was starting to get heated by this point. I couldn’t believe how selfish my kids were being. Now not another word about it.

Mom, really we don’t want you to be upset. We’re just worried about you. Shelby sweetheart, I get that you guys are worried about me but I really need to do this.

Chapter 2

It’s a long flight to Scotland. I say.

That it is Lass. The very handsome man sitting next